Code of the Great Sisters, 1st Rule:

Greet with warm compassion;

they will welcome our generosity.

402 and Jezabel did not arrive at Cathedral until the next day. Clouds had grown dark in the sky, and a warm rain began to sprinkle over the area. Thunder rumbled in the distant.

Jezabel's fuzzy face looked stained with berries. She again walked with one hand holding 402's manipulator. She looked up with wonder at the three-meter tall wall of logs surrounding the settlement. Since her previous home in the town of Laga Cinco was not fortified, this town wall was the largest structure she had ever seen. 402 focused more on the crossbows and shotguns which were being aimed towards them from the top of that wall.

Over the gate, a Grim met 402's gaze. The Grim's hard and charcoal colored face displayed no emotion, but he stared at the robot from over a double-barreled shotgun. The guard shouted, “Stop right there. State your beezwax, Rusty!”

Jezabel answered, “We're gonna join the Holy!”

At the same time, 402 answered, “I deliver this child as previously arranged. This is my beeswax.”

The Grim grunted. A second later, the Grim experienced a bright flash from behind and sharp electric pain. He yelped incoherently. A female voice from deeper inside yelled, “Don't you harm a hair on her, Durge!”

The gate swung open. The Grim at the top of the gate door gripped the wall harder as he rode it on its swing. The red Machine Man pushed the door. The Eel female stood behind him. Both wore new hooded cotton robes with long draping sleeves.

Jezabel shouted, “Fat Man! Ennala!” She ran forward and embraced the robot.

Fat Man said, “Welcome to Cathedral, short hair.”

Jezabel next hugged the Eel woman, Ennala. Even to 402, they looked like a strange pair. The Eel was very much like a human in shape and size. With her baggy white robe and maybe a hood, she could pass for human from a distance. She was, like most of her kind, socially awkward and distant. 402 observed how she acted surprised by this display of Jezabel's affection. After the hug lingered a little too long, Ennala pushed the canine-like child away.

Ennala stepped closer to 402 and addressed him. “Something happened here. After we arrived, a Cat Rider showed up seeking sanctuary. He told everyone to expect you and to consider you a hostile attacker.”

“Relevant, I tracked Target Gorgon to this area. I suspected that he might have sought shelter here. Was he offered a chance to ally with the Holy?”

“The Holy believe en letting anyone join, regardless of their ancestry or past. That Gorgon fellow ees a member of this community now, same as me and the other others you saved.” 402 noticed that the Eel was having more trouble pronouncing certain Earthling words than the first time that he encountered her. “I don't thenk they wull let unside, 402,” she whispered.

The Grim dropped down off the door and pointed his shotgun again at 402, hip level so as to look casual.

Fat Man said, “Come on, short hair. I'll show you around your new home. They have rabbits here.”

When Jezabel and Fat Man were out of earshot, 402 asked the Grim, “Am I being barred entrance from this settlement?”

The Grim told him, “Hell yes.”

Ennala said, “Just let ut go, 402. You can't fight the entire settlement.”

“Query: Why are the Holy not extending hospitality to me?”

She did not answer. Ennala simply shut her eyes.

The grim shook his head and said, “You ain't got no soul to save, rusty.”

Ennala turned her head. With her eyes still closed, she addressed the Grim and said, “No one said that to Fat Man when we arrived.”

“Truth!” pronounced a voice from behind her. A group of three Holy Prophets exited the settlement. Their robes were ornamented with blue and red ribbons sown into them. The Prophet in the lead of the trio wore a red cape over his robe. All three had eyeballs, large and gleaming white, over their bodies. The colors of their irises, however, differed. The leader said, “It is true that we did not question the soul of Brother Fat, because all lives serve a purpose in the Great Sisters' plans for the multiverse. Brother Fat may not benefit as much if he in fact has no soul, but the Holy are greater with him!”

The Grim and the Eel both stepped backward to give the Prophets room. 402 said, “I have business inside.”

The Prophet said, “This is also true. You may have more business than you realize. I offer you a chance to join these pilgrims and Brother Fat. There is of course a price to pay, a price which Brother Gorgon already paid.”

“Relevant, what price did Target Gorgon pay to join your club, Holy?”

“He proved his commitment by giving up his treasures and his weapons. Would you be willing to gift your weapons?”

“Irrelevant, the value of my firearms is zero without the ammunition. I am willing to surrender my bullets in exchange for access to your settlement and Target Gorgon.”

The Holy Prophets did not have heads to shake, but they did have shoulders which sagged visually. The lead Prophet said, “You misunderstand the nature of sacrifice, 402. The point is not to render you harmless but to demonstrate piety. Let's start over. My name is Prophet Sonam. This is Prophet Esop who told us about how you rescued him and his pilgrims,” Soman gestured to the green-eyed Prophet to his right, indicating Esop. “My other companion is Prophet Olom who instructs young Epics and will be tutoring young Sister Jezabel. If you would submit to handing over your weapons temporarily, we will ensure your safety while you stay with us during a non-violent visit. We can discuss the rest afterward. A storm is coming after all.”

The wind picked up noticeably. 402 turned over his sniper rifle. “Relevant, I agree to your terms, Prophet Sonam. I will not initiate violence against any member of your faith within your sanctuary. You will now show me the way to Brother Gorgon.”